Чума
Part I
"
Atfiveintheevening,ashewasgoingoutonanewroundofhousecalls,thedoctorpassedamanonthestairs;hewasyoung,despitehisheavybuildandlarge,pock-markedfacewiththickeyebrows.ThedoctorhadmethimonceortwiceintheflatoftheSpanishdancerswholivedonthetopflooroftheblock.JeanTarrouwasearnestlysmokingacigarette,watchingthelastthroesofaratgivinguptheghostonastairathisfeet.Helookedupatthedoctorwithacalm,slightlyinsistentlookinhisgreyeyes,saidgoodeveningandaddedthattheappearanceoftheseratswasapeculiarthing.
"Yes,"Rieuxanswered."Butit’sstartingtobecomeannoying."
"Inasense,doctor,butonlyinasense.We’veneverseenanythinglikeit,that’sall.ButIfinditinteresting,yes,decidedlyinteresting."
Tarrouranahandthroughhishairtopushitback,tookanotherlookattheratwhichwasnowmotionless,thensmiledatRieux:
"But,whenitcomesdowntoit,doctor,it’schieflyamatterfortheconcierge."
Asithappenedthedoctorfoundtheconciergeattheentrancetothehouse,leaningagainstthewallnearthefrontdoor,withanexpressionofwearinessonhisnormallyfloridface.
"Yes,Iknow,"oldMicheltoldRieuxwhenthelattermentionedthenewdiscovery."They’returningupintwosandthreesnow.Butit’sthesameinotherbuildings."
Heseemedworriedanddespondent.
